N.—Strictly ν is not dropped, but since the stem of the dat. pl. is weak in form ( cross253 a) the ν stood originally between two consonants and should become α ( cross35 b). Thus, φρασί in Pindar is for φρσι. Attic φρεσί borrows its ε from φρένες, φρενῶν, etc. So ποιμέσι, for ποιμασι from ποιμσι, because of ποιμένες, etc.